Update on Our Reentry Plans
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: December 22, 2021
We want to give you an update on our preparations for returning our employees to local Social Security offices, a process called reentry.
You may have seen a proposed reentry date of January 3, 2022 in the draft reentry plan that we provided to our unions, or in the media. While some executives reentered on December 1, we have not set a reentry date for the rest of the agency.
The best way to reach us is online at SSA.gov, or by calling our National 800 Number or a local Social Security office. At this time, please remember that we can only provide in-person service by appointment only for limited, critical issues. And we continue to hold voluntary hearings by online video and phone. We are taking steps to increase in-person help for people unable to complete their business online or by phone.
We will keep you updated on our reentry process.
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Tags: COVID-19, General Information
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Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Wayman
HI, hoping you can help me out.
One of the final step on the Medicare application process requirement is to submit/mail an original “Certification of Citizenship”. This is a very important document and I do not want to mail it in due to past bad experiences with lost mail.
Is there an option to make an appointment and bring the document into a Social Security office for verification.
Thanks in Advance
Belle
Some offices have a brief copy only limited interview. It is required you make an appointment and bring in all necessary paperwork completed. Contact your local office or the 1800 7721213 number for an appointment.
V.V.
Hi Wayman, thanks for using our blog. To inquire about an appointment, please call your local Social Security office. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information.
Kristi E.
I am a Representative Payee for my brother and need to file a reconsideration appeal for him. With Covid – it has been impossible to contact ssa or get anything done…. wait times are long and I am a busy person. I own 2 companies and have my own personal life to deal with… again I am trying to help my brother so when I call several times to try to get help and have to hang up before I get someone on the phone and try back later, visit the ssa local office to find out i need an appt and get turned away and today…. I waited on hold for an HOUR only to be rushed on the phone and when the lady asked me for info on a previous address that was several years ago, I needed to look it up… in my filing cabinet right next to me… She gave me 2 minutes before all of sudden the call ended. REALLY!!! How rude and disrespectful! I am beyond disgusted at this process and this particular government employee.
Belle
Depending upon the reconsideration you want to file most can be done online even with you as payee.
V.V.
Hi Kristi, thanks for using our blog. We are very sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing. Please continue working with your local office. You can request to speak with the manager to see how we can help to expedite resolution of your situation. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information.
J.C.
Your website and every article I read about Survivor’s Benefits says you cannot apply for them online. So if the offices are not open and I can’t apply online what am I supposed to do? I have called my local office to make an appointment in the hopes that I could but I waited a half hour on the phone only to have it stop ringing and go silent. Can you please tell me how I can apply for Survivor’s Benefits?
Rose
Call 1800 772 1213 ask for apt will be scheduled by zip
Mr P.
They won’t. They will tell you to call the local office to schedule an appointment. If you do manage to get through to the local office they will tell you that they are only scheduling in-person appointments for important issues and yours will not be that important
V.V.
Hi J.C., thanks for using our blog. To make an appointment for survivor benefits, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 or you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information.
Michael J.
I hope the return is very soon. I have an appeal to IRMAA with a valid SSA-44 that has not been touched by the agent in TWO months. As a result I have already been overcharged for nearly $1000.
Rose
Returning to the office won’t make it process any faster. You can always do a congressional inquiry by filing with your congressman’s office
V.V.
Hi Michael, thanks for using our blog. For status on that, please call your local Social Security office. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information.
Penelope G.
It is time for everyone to get back to work; some of us are trying and need replacement cards and cannot get into the office to get them. Your website is a joke and not user friendly. We should be able to change passwords, security questions etc online if you are not going to be in the office to help us. A very disgruntled AMERICAN who is trying to work.
Joe M.
I got a replacement card from this page. It took less than ten days to come by USPS
Rose
Call the office best time is first thing in morning and late afternoon. Worst time is Monday after a holiday and first week of the month
Kim S.
If everyone would be responsible & get vaccinated & wear mask’s then things WOULD get back to normal or as close to normal as possible! So people need to look in the mirror first before complaining because that’s where it begins!
Rebecca L.
It’s January 4, 2022. I don’t see January of this year in your drop down. I also don’t see any useful info about your re-entry plan. ? My name is wrong on my statement and I will not be mailing my driver’s license so I need an appointment.
Rose
You can use the drop box in most offices. Secondary evidence will suffice such as insurance card (not Medicare) employee if, certified copy of medical records showing full name date of birth and stamped and dated by medical provider etc.
V.V.
Hi Rebecca. Thank you for using our blog. Good News! We temporarily expanded our policy to accept secondary identity documents. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.
You can also call your local Social Security office for guidance on the appropriate service channels for submitting evidence. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Jonathan C.
Hey I need help correcting my social security card it has the wrong last name
Rose
Submit ss5 and document certified by record holder or original of how the name has changed. If at birth done wrong send state certified birth certificate and form of ID. You can mail and include postage paid return envelope or in many offices use the drop box. You can always include a letter of explanation too just make sure your contact information is included
V.V.
Hi Jonathan. Thank you for using our blog. We temporarily expanded our policy to accept secondary identity documents. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.
You can also call your local Social Security office for guidance on the appropriate service channels for submitting evidence. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Nicole K.
I’ve been trying for several years to get replacement cards for my kids and the applications keep getting sent back even tho I’ve provided the proper information.
I’ve sent SEALED & CERTIFIED birth certificates, dental records, immunization records, school transcripts… all originals in sealed envelopes and I get the application sent back saying you do not accept photocopies.
This last return said my husbands name needed to be corrected? His name hasn’t changed in 49 years and there weren’t any typos so I’m confused..
The form also states that a valid ID is needed. How is someone supposed to send in their drivers license when they need it to drive, or school ID when they need it for school? You don’t take photocopies so what qualifies as valid ID? You don’t take sealed or certified documents, so what qualifies as correct documents?
There is NO PLACE that answers these questions.
I don’t even need to know the number because I already have it and it’s entered on the application. I just need REPLACEMENT cards.
I call and am unable to speak with anyone and offices are closed so HOW am I supposed to get replacement cards when the instructions, application, and review process aren’t working?
Konstance
I broke down and just got an original state identification card. I took my driver’s license to the tag agency and they were able to use that. Gave them my correct information so it matched where I live. I live in Oklahoma. Mine got kicked back three times before security finally told me that I had no other option.
Nicole K.
Glad you got it taken care of, but what a pain! That would work for my 16yo, but what do I do for a 13 yo who only has a school ID?
Rose
Medical records or school records used as ID must be certified by the record holder. They stamp and date. Same for immunization but that is ID only if child is currently under five. The typo on their first card may have misspelled the fathers name if it needs corrected to match the certified copy of the state birth certificate. The law states that all copies must be certified by the record keeper so the school/ doctors office etc will need to sign and date
Kim S.
Have you tried taking all your info to a Notary & have write you a certified/stamped document stating everything is correct?
Not sure if they would take it but it’s worth a try. Also, call your state representative, that’s what they’re there for!
Belle
Notary only confirms your signature. SSA is a legal process and requires the original or a certified copy by the record holder. Whatever agency keeps the record has to make the copy and. Sign and date it certifying that it is a copy of their files.
V.V.
For your security, Nicole, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information.
Michael
I turned 70 in Nov. 2021. Applied for Social Security on Oct. 5. There was a problem with routing no. for Direct Deposit, starting date (I wanted 1st ck. in Jan.2022) and Spousal benefit (can’t start that until my situation is rectified). Workload Center won’t return my calls – been calling twice a day for a wk. Any suggestions to get to talk to someone? I keep getting routed to the same person, who doesn’t return my calls.
Teresa
Oh My! I have the same problem. I’ve been calling the person who is in charge of helping with how to report wages for my daughter who has an intellectual disability. I started in August and have left messages on her phone several times weekly. When I get the main switchboard, they always say that I must talk to so and so. It is absurd!
V.V.
Hi Michael, thanks for using our blog. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information.
Robert H.
Good morning I will be turning 66 on the 15th of this month, my spouse is 69y and 5m old. I am wanting to start receiving benefits at 66y4m. when do I need to apply and where do we apply for spouse benefits if she has not worked for enough credits. I have spent all morning trying to reach my local office and keep sitting on hold for awhile then being disconnected.
Thank you
V.V.
Hi Robert, thanks for using our blog. If you wait until your full retirement age, you will get your full benefit. If your full retirement age is 66 and 4 months and you turn 66 in January, you will attain your full retirement age in May. One exception to that is for individuals that are born on the 1st of the month. We figure their benefit (and their full retirement age) as if their birthday was in the previous month. Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due. So, if you want your benefits to begin with May, you will receive your first benefit payment in June. The exact payment date is determined by your date of birth. For future pay days, you may find the 2022 Schedule of Social Security Payments calendar useful.
Our system is set up to take applications four months in advance. When you’re ready to apply, you and your spouse can apply online.
If unable or you would rather not apply online, call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. We hope this information helps.